Well, now, here’s a question: What’s a “beach read?” What’s a good beach read? And what are some of your favorites of the species?
Once in awhile, I find OUTLANDER on someone’s list of “great beach reads,” but usually none of the other books. (This sticks in my mind, because one of the early public appearances I did when OUTLANDER was released, was a “Great Beach Read” program done with several other authors for a public library—wherein we were supposed to talk about our own books, but also give a list of other books we thought were great beach reads. I remember the occasion, because it’s the first—and thankfully one of very few—occasion on which I forgot I was supposed to be somewhere. I was in fact shopping for bunk-beds with my husband—and my children all “turned” last month, being now 26, 24, and 22, so you know it was awhile ago—when he got a frantic call (he having one of the new-fangled car-phones) from his secretary, to the effect that the Glendale (I think) Public Library was looking for me, and why wasn’t I on their stage? We rushed there instantly, and I made it in time to be last on the program, but still, Highly Traumatic. I shudder when I hear the words “Beach Read.”)
Now, personally, I’ve always figured that “great beach read” is one of those left-handed compliments. It implies that the book is a page-turner, all right—but probably not something filled with Deep Meaning, as my husband says (“Does this have lots of Deep Meaning?” he asks, suspiciously, when I hand him a new excerpt to read. “Or does something actually happen?”). Nobody describes WAR AND PEACE as a great beach read (though in fact it is, size quite aside. It actually is a page-turner, though the translation makes a difference. I got an edition translated by someone whose first language was apparently French, resulting in male characters not infrequently threatening to give each other “a bang on the snout!” Which was mildly distracting. But I digress…).
The implication is that the book should be entertaining, but something you can easily put down in order to play volleyball, and it won’t really matter if you doze off and let it fall on your stomach where it will absorb sun-tan lotion and all the pages become transparent. And when you leave the beach, you can toss it in the trash can if you’ve finished it, and into your trunk if you haven’t, there to be ignored until next Thanksgiving, when you discover it while cramming your trunk with turkey, bags of fresh cranberries, and whatever other family-specific food you consider indispensable to the occasion (my stepmother’s family traditionally serves buttered rutabagas at Thanksgiving. I consider this perverse, but as long as I’m not personally required to eat rutabagas—and no force of nature would compel me, I assure you—more power to them).
On the other hand—a beach read has the assurance of being entertaining, and of probably being popular. A beach read is something that everybody (in a given summer) is reading. Which is of course Highly Desirable, if you are the author of said book. I mean, if it comes right down to it, do you want the New York Times to say your book is “a brilliant, if depressing, portrait of humanity, filled with insights on dependency and longing,”—or do you want it to say, “#1″ on the Bestsellers list? Yeah, me too.
(Mind, if anybody happens to want to look for Deep Meaning in my books, it’s there [g]—no, really—but I do think there ought to be a Good Story on the uppermost layer of a book.)
Now, I personally am no judge of a beach read, because a) I read all the time, regardless of location, and b) I don’t live near a beach, and c) if I did live near a beach, I wouldn’t be sitting on it, reading. I hate sitting in the sun; it makes me sweaty and dizzy, and the last thing I’d do is read a book while doing it. But tastes differ.
IF we were to define a “beach read” simply as a book that’s very entertaining, but “light” (in the literary-fiction sense of the word)—what would you pick? (Or if you define a beach read differently, how would you define it?)
The nearest equivalent of a “beach read” for me, is probably a “plane book.” I.e., what you read on a plane to distract your mind from the knowledge that there is nothing under you but 30,000 feet of thin air (though my husband, who flies planes, assures me that air is really much more substantial than it appears). That would be things like Nora Roberts romances and futuristic mysteries, Michael Connelly thrillers, Janet Evanovich’s comic romance/mysteries, Anne Perry’s Victorian mysteries, John LeCarre’ spy/intrigue novels, and the like (I gather I’m not alone in these preferences, since these are the books commonly found in airport bookstores). Not THE LOVELY BONES; I read half of that on a long flight to Sydney, left it on the plane, and never felt the urge to get another copy and read the rest of it. I know a number of folks loved it, but I thought it was hollow and mildly repellant—though I freely admit this impression may have had more to do with the effects of being on an airplane for fourteen hours, than with the book itself.
(I should note here that while I have referred to the books I read on planes as “toilet paper books,” this is not a diss. It’s because such books perform an indispensable function—but you use them only once.)
Speaking historically, though—it seems to me that many of the great “beach reads” of the last 15-20 years have indeed been “big” books: James Clavell’s SHO-GUN (one of my all-time favorite books ever!) or TAI-PAN, Judith Krantz’s SCRUPLES, PRINCESS DAISY, etc., James Michener’s monster sagas, etc. These are books that would get you through an entire vacation.
I don’t know whether it’s the current economic climate affecting publishing (paper costs keep rising, as does the cost of shipping books), or whether there’s a change in public taste, but you see fewer “big” books than you used to. (Mind, when a new “big” book appears, it gets a lot of attention—vide THE HISTORIAN, or MR. NORELL AND WHOEVER THE OTHER GUY WAS—on the sheer basis of size. The assumption being, I imagine, that if a publisher was willing to pay to print this, it must be good. Sometimes this assumption is true; sometimes not so much.) What’s the “beach read” of this summer? (I’ve been so busy lately I haven’t paid any attention to publishing news at all. I’m also neck-deep in the research for ECHO IN THE BONE, plus a “Lord John” short piece I’m doing for an anthology, that involves yet another chapter of the Seven Years War. My guess is that neither Francis Parkman’s MONTCALM AND WOLFE, nor Kenneth Webb’s THE GROWTH OF SCOTTISH NATIONALISM would be in most people’s beach-bags.)
So…what’s in your beach-bag?
I’m currently reading the first Lord John book and find it really entertaining (I do love this character and since I’ve read all six Outlander books it’s the next logical step) . Though I agree with you on the dizziness in the direct sun thing. Shade is my friend. Air conditioners are heaven sent. Maybe I’ll start over with the Outlander series this summer since your books are definitely not “toilet paper books”. I have a book on my shelf called “Kristin Lavransdatter” that I could tackle too if I don’t mind a deep depression.
While I rarely read on the beach; I do read often for fun. I’m on my umteenth turn of the Outlander Series, and cannot locate DRUMS which infuriates me; I’ll need to get a new one. I usually re-read Sara Donati’s Wilderness series at least once a year. Summer reading for me is light, fun, and entertaining. I do occasionally throw in a biography (my most recent was Jane Boylen’s, my favorite, though, is Athenais). I am currently working through one of Dianna’s recommendeds, I think it’s Jack Whyte and his Arthurian series. The library has them only in bits though. – Have a lovely summer!
I am an avid reader but, with two young kids, seldom have time to get thoroughly engrossed before someone yells from the opposite side of the house, “Mommmmmmy, he hit me.” So I look forward to a week at the beach to tune everyone else out and dive into a good book, or three or four. I’m all caught up with all my favorites (Diana, of course, plus Vince Flynn, David Baldacci, Robert Ludlum, Brad Thor, some James Patterson). This summer I’m going to try getting through the Kathy Reichs “Temperance Brennan” series. I’m always looking for authors who are similar to my favorites and found a website that helps.
http://www.literature-map.com/
You can type in the name of your favorite author(s) and it will send back a mapping of other authors who are considered similar.
I don’t usually post but I wanted to leave my two cents.
Right now, I am re-reading a series by Mercedes Lackey called The Five Hundred Kingdoms-the first book is The Fairy Godmother. If you like fairy tales and fantasy, they are good. I also like Jodi Picoult’s books for the most part (have only read a few but I pick one up when I can). My favorite book of hers is My Sister’s Keeper. Also, Nineteen Minutes and The Pact. I don’t usually like “law” books but hers are different. I will also be reading another Diana L. Paxson book this summer in the Avalon series (fantasy).
Not sure if you came by my post on your blog regarding my summer reading experience (with Outlander) while on the beach in Croatia… well, I tend to become completely absorbed with my reading material. Since I often spend a good 4 hours/day for 15 days on the beach, I don’t bother bringing more than 1 book with me. I’m a fast reader. So, I usually visit the local high school’s supply store and pick up every english book the kids will be reading (Author’s tend to include for example, D.H. Lawrence, G. Eliot, T.Hardy, J. Swift, Butler, J. Austen…). Their novels become my, quite, intense “beach reads”. Nice to hear from you again Diana!
Hello Diana,
Vacation reading for me is definately not at the beach. As someone who loves to go to faraway and exotic places I spend plenty of time in airports and on planes. I also carry 2-4 paperbacks with me depending how long the trip. Usually, there will be several mysteries or spy thrillers, a historical novel and possibly a biography or history book concerning the place I am traveling to. One quirk I have is that i always take a Bernard Cornwell book on my travels, usually a Richard Sharpe novel but sometimes a book from one of his other series. Last year when I went to Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia I had Dragonfly in Amber with me. When I was in New Zealand a few years ago I bought most of the Outlander after I finished the first book. Favorite authors I like to take besides Cornwell or you include: Ken Follett, James Lee Burke, Robert B. Parker and C.S. Forrester’s Hornblower stories. I also like to take books that are set in part or in total in the places I am visiting. I remember taking Memoirs of a Geisha when I visited Japan and Graham Green’s Ugly American when I was in Vietnam.
Dear Madeleine–
I’m delighted that you liked Rob’s book so much!
As for Harlen Coben, his books are excellent–but his one-off thrillers are quite different from his Myron Bolitar series (I really liked those, too, but I suppose they must not have sold as well as the stand-alones do). Still, I think you’ll enjoy them.
Dear Scott–
Oh, if you like Hornblower, you really must try Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin books! Same territory–Napoleonic War British navy, rise of a young officer’s career–but much different (better, I think) in characterization, dialogue and atmosphere. Really wonderful stuff.
On my last trip to the beach I read The Virgin’s Lover by Phillipa Gregory. But I don’t read out on the beach – I save it to read before bed (not sure if I could sleep otherwise!). I have actually read Outlander at the beach, too. I think, at this point, I have probably read a book from that series in nearly every place I’ve been in the last 5 years. I have read it on a plane, I have read it in the rain. I’ve read it at my in-laws’ house, I’ve listened while I cleaned the house. I’ve loaned it to all my friends, and this is where my comment ends.
(sorry, don’t know what brought that on!)
My summer reading isn’t for pleasure, unfortunately, as it’s for my American Women Writers course. I recently read Maxine Hong Kingston’s The Woman Warrior and yesterday finished Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping. After those books, I certainly need a good beach read to balance the melancholy! I’m thinking Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton sounds like a good place to start.
I have just started re-reading the Myron Bolitar series. I couldn’t bring myself to read Harlan Coben’s latest – the subject matter was too depressing – must have been the mood I was in at the time. I am a book junkie. I have a little notebook in which I write the titles of all the upcoming books I want to read, their publication dates, and ISBN numbers; then I put them on the reserve list at the library. The librarians think I am quite amusing! I just finished Elizabeth George’s “Careless in Red” (terrific) and am waiting for “I Shall Not Want” by Julia Spencer-Fleming. Anything by Daniel Silva or Elizabeth Peters (Amelia Peabody, Egyptologist)is greatly anticipated, also. Of course, I buy the books I know I’ll read again and again … and naturally have a full set of the “Outlander” series. Which I have only been through twice, since I am a late bloomer!
Dear Diana,
The correct title for the newest release from Ariana Franklin is in fact The Serpent’s Tale. Sorry, not the best at spelling! I haven’t read the City of Shadows. It must not be a part of the series she started with Mistress of the Art of Death, then? I’ll have to look for it.
Amy
Well, I don’t really have a set list except for what I’m reading for my book club. This month’s selection is called “The Omnivore’s Dilemma.” I gave it forty pages and turned it back in. Not exactly a page-turner… Next month I’m hosting and the book I selected is “Driving Over Lemons” by Chris Stewart. You could call it a “beach read” I guess. I enjoyed it.
The next book on my own list is “Suite Francaise” by Irene Nemirovsky. My dear husband actually gave it to me for my birthday. 
Once upon a time, the chance to sit on a beach soaking up sun, serenaded by rhythmic susurrus of the waves lapping the sand and the high, thin cry of the gulls, all the while being blissfully absorbed in a good book was my idea of nirvana.
I rather avoid long periods in the sun now, but still, the habit persists in always taking Really Good Books (or at least, books I hope will be Really Good) on vacation to be read in the car, on the plane, or wherever I happen to find time and solitude.
So to me, a good beach read is a book I want to get lost in, and I would never treat it as a throwaway. All of your books fall into the category of good beach reads (though not in hardcover, due to the sheer size {g}). Which is, from my perspective, a high compliment and nothing left-handed about it.
usually the beaches we go to here in norcal are to windy to sit and read at, my beach bag is really my lunch bag as i read during my break every day
i just finished ‘no time to hide’ by your brother in law, i liked it very much. and now i am going to reread the harry potter books, and once i finish that i must tackle my tbr pile next to my bed!
Marion Zimmer Bradleys Avalon books are great.I think the series has nine books.
I like so many authors like Philip Pullman, James Patterson, Kinley MacGregor,Valerie Lord, Julianne Lee, Douglas Adams, Patricia Cornwell, Elizabeth George and Wolfgang Hohlbein (is he known outside of Germany).
My first summer beach read at a mere 15 years old was The Stand by Stephen King. It took me the whole summer to finally finish it, while looking after two monsters…um children at the beach. It was good enough to keep me reading day after day, but it was ok if I missed a day or two here or there. And, it did end up with lots of sand in the middle, only to be packed away under my bed for years. The Outlander series is one of my closest friends. I can pick up any one of them and open it and just start reading. My husband gets that “OH NO!” look on his face when he sees one in my hand. Then I get the question of how many times I have read and re-read them, and I tell him he should read them, because he just doesn’t understand! They bring me joy and happiness, tears and sadness. They are truly a saga for all seasons! Thanks Diana!
I realize this must happen to you relatively often, but I’m completely fan-girling on your blog. I’ve read all of your Outlander Series (thus far) and I’m currently reading Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade, and I almost love John more than I love Jamie, if one can feel a tight emotional bond to a fictional character.
As for vacation reading, I usually go for the cotton candy reading – Silhouette romance novels you can eat up in a couple hours, that kind of thing. That said, I usually pack my vacations with activity, so the only real reading I do is in bed before I go to sleep, and I like something fluffy with no real nutritive value. I love a mystery romance, (think Elizabeth Lowell or the better Nora Roberts novels (more mystery, less shagging), or even Jude Deveraux, if I want it completely over-the-top 80s style). I also love craft lit, and I’m really enjoying some of Knit Lit that’s so popular of late – Kate Jacobs’s Friday Night Knitting Club while semi-predictable, is still relatable in its way, and Knitting Under the Influence was a hoot.
Anyway, when it’s vacation, cotton candy gets my vote.
Well, since I also don’t have a beach bag, and since here where I live it is still trying to be winter (ack!) the most I can say is what am I reading now…I like a good book, sometimes with deep meaning, even for airplane rides.
Currently, I’m reading The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay and will be reading Leif Enger’s new book next.
I’m reading My Sister’s Keeper to my 12 yr old, and we’re both enjoying it. Anything by Jodi Piccoult!
Also, for a clever read, Time Traveler’s Wife.
But probably for easy meaningless reads, my favourite author is Maeve Binchy.
During the summer of 2001 we were going to the beach, and, since I had read The Fiery Cross by some author or other, I picked up this first book by her also. After all, it was shorter; so easier to carry. So I really did read Outlander at the beach. The first time.
Good beach read authors: Jennifer Cruisie (modern romance), Lois McMaster Bujold (science fiction, fantasy), Laura Kinsale (historical romance), Ellis Peters (historical whodunits).